Straightening machine



May 26, 1931. E. T. PETERSON 1,807,324

STRAIGHTENING MACHINE Filed Nov. 4, 1926 v2 Sheets-Sheet l f INVENTOR.'

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' E. .-r. PETERSON STRAIGHTENING MACHINE k2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 4, 1926 A TTORNEY. l

Y the vertical versel dimensions which Patented May 26, 1931` UNITED kstarts PATENT oFFicE EDWARD T. PETERSON, 0F READING, PENNSYLVANIA, `ASSIGN'OR TO BIRDSBORO `S'Illlllli FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPINY, CF BIRDSBOBO, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORA- Y 'rIoN or PENNsYLvANA STRAIN-manine MACHINE Application filed November 4, 1926.

My invention relates to machines for straightening structural steel shapes, such as angles, I-beams,` rods, in novel mechanism for effecting adjustment of the tail or front straightening rolls of such machines either toward orV from the rear ends or laterally with respect to such machines. j

More specifically stated, the invention consists in means for independently adjusting` vertical straightening rolls located at the reai` or front end of a straightening machine toward orfrom each other so as to adapt them to operate upon objects of different transare to be Vstraightened, and also in meansv for adjusting said rolls toward and from the rear end portion of the said machine.

The general object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of mechanism of the character indicated which is both simple and eicient for the purpose mentioned.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the detailed description thereof which follows or will become apparent from such description.

In order that the invention may be readily understood and its practical advantages fully appreciated reference may behad to the accompanying drawings in which one convenient form of embodiment of the invention has been illustrated, but it will be understood that the invention is susceptible ofembodiment in other forms of construction than that shown l and that changes in the details of construction may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the principle thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in rear elevation of al straightening machine provided with mechanism embodying the invention for adjusting rolls of the machine either laterally of the machine or toward or from the said machine, a portion of the machine being broken away and shown in section `for the purpose ofindicating more clearly certain details of construction;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the rear end portion of a straightening machine proetc., and itconsists 4noted that I have shown only t Serial Na 148,091.

vided with mechanism embodying my invention;

of the rear end portion of a straightening machine provided with my invention taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l; and

Fig. L1 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawin s, it will be ie rear portion of a straightening machine comprisingr a frame structure 1 upon which are mounted horizontal straightening rolls, which are shown at 2. The structures or shapes to be straightened are passed between a series of such horizontally mounted straightening rolls. As the shapes or structures leave the rolls it is desirable to subject them to the'action of vertical rolls, such as the rolls 3. These rolls are called tail rolls.

I shall now proceed to a description of the ported, as well as the means by which the only two 'of Fig. 3 is a horizontal vertical sectional view said rolls may be adjusted in the manner al- Y ready indicated herein.

The frame of the machine is provided at its rear end with a rearwardly extending bracket structure 4: provided with supporting or bearing surfaces 5 upon which a cross-wise supporting sill 6 is mounted. Also mounted upon the bracket structure t are racks 1() the said racks being secured in position b `means of bolts and nuts 11. A shaft 12 is mounted in bearings at 13 upon the cross-wise supporting sill 6. The said shaft is provided at points intermediate its ends with. gears 15 which gears are in engagement with the teeth upon the racks 10. The gears 15 are retained in fixed position by means of keys 17 upon the shaft 12. The said shaft 12 is supported intermediate its ends in bearings 18 which are provided with oppositely eX- tending projections 19 secured by bolts 20 to the sill 6. For thepurpose of rotating the shaft 12 in either direction to adjust the supporting sill 6 toward or from the rear end of the machine handles may be employed each having a polygonal opening in the head thereof to engage the polygonally shaped ends 21 of the shafts 12. The bearings 13 previously located between the lugs or .as are caused to travel upon the referred to are formed in end members secured to the opposite ends of the supporting sill 6.

The top portion 26 of the cross-wise supporting sill 6 is of T-shape in cross section, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Mounted upon the upper T-shaped portion 26 of the said sill are platforms or supports 27 p'rovided with 'upwardly `extending brackets 28 having overhanging portions 29 secured thereto. The brackets 28 extend upwardly from the outer portions of the platforms`27 so that the overhanging portions 29 thereof overhang inner end portions of the front or forward side portions of the said platforms. The said platforms 27 are provided with hook-like portions -30 which engage the under sides of the T-shaped portion 26. The said platforms are slidable upon the said T- 4shaped portion. The vertical straightening rolls 3 areprovided with trunnions 31- at their upper and lower ends which are mounted in bearings 32. The upper bearings are formed in the overhanging portions 29 of `the brackets 28 while the lower bearings are provided in the forwardly extending portions of the platform structures 27.

For the `purpose of effecting adjustments of the said supporting' platforms laterally of the said machine I have provided a stationary shaft 40 mounted in bearings 4l in the end members 25 mounted upon the cross supporting sill G. Mounted upon the said shaft are rotatable gears 42 and 43. The gear 42 is projections 44 depending from the right hand supporting platform 2T, having reference to `Fig. .31 of the drawings, while the gear 43 is located between similar lugs or projections depending from the opposite supporting platform 27. rlfhe shaft 40 is provided with screw threads 46, as shown, which engage internal screw threads of the gears 42 and 43 so that when the said gears are rotated they rsaid shaft in one direction or the other depending upon the direction of rotation of said. gears. For the `purpose o-f rotating the gear 42 I have provided a shaft or rotatable .rod 50 mounted at its opposite ends in bearings upon the end members 25 previously referred to. Slidably mounted upon the shaft V50 is a gear 51, which maybe regarded as an actuating gear, which engages the gear 42 previously7 vreferred to. Upon rotation ofthe shaft `5() the gear 51 rotates herewith by reason of a key connection.. rlhe said gear 5l is slidable upon the shaft 50 and islocated between the depending lugs or projections 44 and is thereby held in operative relation to the Vgear 42 with which it is in engagement `as is clearly shown in Fig. 4. rI`he opposite ends of the shaft 50 terminate 4in polygonal portions 53. Rotation oftheshaft 50 in-eitherd-ireetion maybe effected by means of handles, las

indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, having holes at one end of a shape corresponding to the polygonal ends 53 of the said shaft which are adapted to engage the said holes thereby enabling rotation of the said shaft in known manner. Upon rotation of the shaft 50 and the gear 51 thereon the gear 42 is simultaneously rotated in one direction or the other `depending upon the direction of rotation of shaft 50 and .gealr V51. If rotated in one direction the gear 42 moves upon the shaft 4() in a direction toward the side of the machine nearer to which it is located, or if rotated in the opposite direction it moves inwardly toward the central longitudinal vertical plane ofthe machine.

For the purpose of aetuatingthegear 43 a shaft 60 is provided also `mounted at its. opposite ends in bearings provided in the end members 25. The opposite ends of this shaft are also of polygonal shape and are `adapted to Abe engaged by openings of like shape in handles by means of which the said shaft maybe rotated. 'This shaft vis also provided with a sl'idable gear or pinion 6l thereon which gear is caused to "rotate with the said shaft by nie ns of a key connection. The said'gear or pinion 61 is located between the depending lugs or projection previously referred to. The gear or pinion 61 is in engagement Awith 'the gear 43 mounted to rotate upon the screw threaded shaft 40. It will be apparent that the shafts and 6() are independently rotatable.

nth-e construction as illustrated, in which the screw threads 4G upon the shaft 40 are inclined or extend continuously inthe san e direction, it is necessary that the gears 42 and 43 be actuated independently of each other so that theymay be rotated in opposite directions to thereby effect inward and outward movements of the supporting platforms and brackets 27 and 23 to effect corresponding adjustments of the vertical straightening rolls 3. However, I desire it to be understood that my invention is not limited to the specific means as disclosed for effecting such lateral adjustments of the straightening rolls toward and from each other.

As already stated, the gears 42 and 5l are mounted between the depending lugs or projections 44 while the gears 43 and 61 are mounted between the depending lugs or projections 45. The screw threaded shaft -.Oa'nd the shafts 50 and (it) extend through openingsin the said lugs or projections. T he latter are provided with additional hearings for the shafts '50 and'GO. lt will beapparent that if it 'be desired to adjust the vertical. straightening rolls 3 toward orfrom the machine such adjustment maybe accoi'nplished by actuating the shaft l2. The `gears l5 upon the said shaft, being in engagement with the racks l() which are stationary, will cause 'adjustment of the supporting silly G Leither toward or 'from from each other, and means for the said machine depending upon the direction of rotation of the shaft l2. Should it be desired to adjust the said rolls 3 laterally of the machine the shafts and 60 may be actuated in one direction'or the other but in opposite directions with respect to each other to effect such lateral adjustment. As already set forth, such adjustment may be either toward or from vertical plane located at the center line of the machine and extending longitudinally thereof, or such adjustnents may be toward the outer` sides of the said machine.

It will be seen that by my invention I have provided a simple and eiiicient means whereby practically universal adjustment of the vertical tail straightening rolls 3 may be effected. By reason of its capacity for such adjustment the straightening means may be adapted to operatesatisfactorily inthe straightening of structural steel shapes having different or varying dimensions as well as different or varying shapes in cross section.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pa ent is:

l. In a straightening machine, the combination of tail straightening rolls, and means for adjusting the said rolls toward and from and laterally with respect to the said machine.

2. In a straightening machine, the combination of tail rolls located in opposed relation to each other means for adjusting the "7 said rolls toward and from the rear end of l said machine, and means for adjusting the said rolls toward and from each other in horizontal directions transversely of the said machine.

3. In a straightening machine, the combination of straightening rolls located at the rear end of the machine, slidable supporting means for said rolls, means for effect-ing movement of said slidable supporting means together with the rolls thereon toward and effecting simultaneous movement of the said supporting means and the rolls thereon toward and from the rear end of the said machine.

l. In a straightening machine, the combination of vertical rolls located at the rear end of the said machine, supports for said rolls, said supports being adjustable laterally with respect to the said machine, -separate means for effecting the said lateral adjustments of the said rolls toward or from each other, and

means for effecting simultaneous movement of the said rolls toward or from the rear end of the said machine.

5, In a straightening machine, the combination of a cross-wise-supporting sill located at the rear end of said machine, means projecting rearwardly fromV thesaid machine for supporting said sill, means for'offecting movement of said supporting sill toward and from the rear end of said machine, vertical tailrolls, supporting' platforms for said rolls adjustably mounted upon the said support-V ing sill,.and'means for effecting independent adjustments of the said supporting platforms and the rolls carried thereby inwardly or ontwardly with respect to a vertical plane located centrally and extending longitudinally of said machine. i f V` 6.111 a straightening.machine, the combination of' a cross-wise supporting sill, a bracket structure mounted upon the rear end of the said machine for supporting said sill, means for effecting adjustmentsof such sill toward or from the rear end of said machine, tail rolls, supporting platforms for said rolls mounted upon the said sill, and independently actuatable means mounted upon said sill for effecting adjustments of the said roll supporting platforms toward or from each other upon said sill.

7. In a straightening machine, the combination of a supporting sill located at the rear end of said machine, a support therefor, vertical straightening rolls, supporting platforms for said rolls mounted upon the upper edge portion of said sill upon the opposite end portions thereof, each of said platforms being provided with spaced depending lugs, a nonrotatab-le externally screw threaded shaft mounted upon the said supporting sill, said shaft having gears rotatably mounted thereon, one of said gears being located between the depending lugs from one of said supporting platforms and the other of said gears being located between the depending lugs of the other of said platforms, rotatable shaftsV mounted upon said supporting sillin parallel relation and adjacent to the said non-rotatable shaft, said rotatable shafts each being provided with a ear, one of said gears being located between t ie depending lugs of one of the said roll supporting platforms and in engagement with the adjacent gear upon the non-rotatable shaft, and the other of said rotatable shafts being provided with a gear located between the depending lugs of the other of said roll support-ing platforms and in engagement with the adjacent gear upon the said non-rotatable shaft.

8. In mechanism for adjusting the vertical tail rolls of a straightening machine, the combination of a cross-wise supporting sill located at the rear end of said machine, means for supporting said sill, means for eifecting adjustments of said sill toward and from the rear end of the said machine, roll supporting platforms mounted upon the opposite end portions of said sill, each of said platforms being provided with depending spaced lugs located in adjacent relation to the said sill, a non-rotatable externally screw threaded shaft mounted upon said supporting sill, gears rotatably mounted upon said shaft, one of said gears being located between the lugs of one of the said roll supporting platforms and the other of said gears being located between the depending lugs of the other of said supporting platforms, and independent `meansfor actuating the said gears in onedirectiion or the other to elect movement thereof to Vcause adjustment of said supporting platforms in one direction or the other.

9. A straightening machine, comprising tail straightening rolls, means for adjusting said rolls as a unit toward and from said machine, and means for adjusting said rolls .laterally with respect to the said machine.

10. A straightening machine comprising tail straightening rolls and means for adjusting each of said rolls horizontally and laterally with respect to the said machine.

11. A straightening machine, comprising tail straightening rolls, and means for adjusting said rolls toward and from each other and laterally with respect to the said machine.

12. A straightening machine, comprising horizontal straightening rolls, vertical straightening rolls, andmeans for adjusting said Vertical rolls as a unit With respect to said horizontal rolls and horizontally With respect to each other.

13. A straightening machine, comprising horizontal straightening rolls, Vertical straigthening rolls, and means for adjusting said vertical rolls toward and troni and laterally with respect to said horizontal rolls.

14. A straightening machine, comprising horizontal straightening rolls, Vertical tail straightening rolls, means for adjusting said vertical tail rolls horizontally and toward and from said horizontal rolls, and meansfor adjusting said vertical tail rolls horizontally toward and :trom each other and laterally with respect to the said machine.

ln testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, have hereunto signed my name this 29th day of October, A. D. 1926.

EDVARD T. PETERSQN. 

